Jakes has spent nearly three decades in education as a teacher, staff developer, technology coordinator, and digital designer and strategist. He is an internationally sought-after speaker and thought leader on educational technology topics, including design thinking, digital storytelling, mobile learning, and the physical design of learning spaces. In his current role, he collaborates with schools across the country to enhance their design of physical learning spaces, cloud-based learning environments, mobile learning, and professional development. Jakes also contributes his thoughts and ideas on educational technology through his blog. His workshop materials and resources are available online.

Jakes said the way technologies are leveraged to support student learning is a question every teacher must address. His presentation “Learning at the Speed of Technology” offers a look into how technology tools and trends are reshaping what it means to be a learner in the 21st century. Drawing from his extensive background in educational technology, he shares how contemporary technologies can be used to create compelling learning experiences for students. Attendees will gain insight into what technology works and why, and what this means for teachers, schools and students.

About T21Con

T21Con provides current and aspiring educators with hands-on learning with instructional technologies. Focusing on what teachers are doing with technology in their classrooms to support student learning, the conference includes sessions with practitioners and educational technologists from the field and interactive exhibits featuring local and international technology vendors such as Microsoft, Lenovo, and Dell. Registration is free and open to teacher education students, educators, and university faculty and staff.

The conference was introduced in 2010 and is held each November. It is made possible through donations by Mary F. ’68 and Robert J. ’66, M.S. ’67, English. The response to the first conference was so positive that the English family committed to funding the event for five years. The event is co-sponsored by the College of Education and Students Using and Integrating Technology in Education (SUITE), one of the college’s registered student organizations.